One of the main differences between Microsoft Stores and Apple Stores in the U.S. is the fact that Microsoft stores sell devices made by other manufacturers such as HTC and Nokia. Apple only sells its own primary hardware such as smartphones, tablets, and notebook computers although it sells accessories made by other manufacturers.

Financial Times now reports that Microsoft is been in talks with property owners in the UK to open new retail stores next year.

Microsoft is confident that it can open its first UK stores in 2013, however, the final decision is dependent on an assessment of how well Microsoft Stores in the U.S. are performing. Microsoft has offered no official statement on the possibility of opening retail stores in the UK at this time.

One key benefit of Microsoft retail stores in the UK would be the ability for the stores to offer classes to train users on Microsoft software and hardware – a service it offers in its current U.S. stores.

We are both right. VaporMG is "a metal that feels like plastic" and in reality is just a thin outer shell of cast magnesium over a plastic body. This is cheap to produce compared to milling aluminum stock but on the other hand IS more expensive than injection molded plastic. Surface sales speak for themselves.

The Microsoft Surface tablet is constructed from magnesium and manufactured using liquid metal. Microsoft claims the magnesium, PVD finish is the first of its kind in the PC market. Called VaporMg, the case is melted down in the manufacturing process and then moulded to the details needed for the design.

quote: This is why I love the simplicity of a milled aluminum case, you don't need the PR people to snazz it up

Yeah, and this is why I observed quite a few Mac zealots cumming in their panties watching sexy Apple PR videos showing off your "simplicity of aluminum milling" stuff hehe :P Your anti-MS bias won't work here buddy, I have a few Mac zealots at work that I regularly observe, so you can tell your funny fairy tales about "no Apple PR needed for aluminum milling blah blah" to someone who's really stupid or has anti-MS bias like you. Tony will LOVE your lying posts for sure, you seem to be two very closely/similarly minded individuals.

I'm trying to think of a polite way to say "you do not have a clue," but I think the impolite way will have to do.

The Surface does not feel like plastic. At all. You think it is just a thin layer of magnesium sprayed over plastic? You think it is just there to make it look pretty?

How do you explain all the previews and reviews who said there was no flex in the chassis? How do you explain the guy who needed to put his whole body weight on the surface in order to snap off the kickstand? Sinofsky riding about on one like a skateboard? Did you see Panos Panay drop one on stage without it being even slightly damaged? If that's not good enough, there's a video of Ms lifing a Surface in a hydraulic lift and smashing it into the ground with no damage.

You've obviously never seen or touched one in person, because you are so far off base its a joke to anyone who actually knows. It's like listening to someone saying you'd be better off making a spaceship out of iron than titanium because iron is a real metal. It makes you look like a clueless dork to anyone who knows better.